THEN AND NOW: The cast of the 'Cool Runnings,' 30 years later

THEN AND NOW: The cast of the 'Cool Runnings,' 30 years later
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  • "Cool Runnings" premiered 30 years ago on October 1, 1993.

  • The Disney sports movie is loosely based on the true story of the first Jamaican Bobsled team.

  • Here is what the main actors are up to today.

John Candy starred as Irv.

Cool Runnings cast
John Candy as Irv in "Cool Runnings."Disney+

In "Cool Runnings," the Jamaican Bobsled team is coached by Irving "Irv" Blitzer, a former Olympian who retired to the Caribbean country after he was disqualified for cheating.

He is portrayed by John Candy in the 1993 movie, who was already a popular comedian and actor at the time. Candy had already won two Emmys for his writing on the "Second City Television" comedy sketch show.

Candy also starred in classic irreverent comedies such as "Home Alone," "Little Shop of Horrors," "Spaceballs," "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" and "Uncle Buck."

John Candy died in 1994.

Cool Runnings cast
John Candy won an Emmy Award in 1983.Ron Galella, Ltd. / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

"Cool Runnings" was one of the actor's last few film roles. In 1994, 43-year-old Candy died of a heart attack while on the set of one of his final movies, "Wagon East."

Before his death, Candy had filmed his scenes in the films "Hostage for a Day," "Wagon East," and "Canadian Bacon."

According to Vulture, Candy had also signed to star in the Disney film "Pocahontas" and had already recorded a significant portion of his dialogue. His role would have been a talking turkey sidekick for the lead called Redfeather. But after Candy's death, the character was cut.

Leon Robinson played Derice Bannock.

Cool Runnings cast
Leon as Derice in "Cool Runnings."Disney+

Derice Bannock is one of the lead characters who inspires Jamaica to form a bobsled team. After failing to qualify for the Olympic 100-meter race due to another runner's mistake, the only way Derice can represent his country is in the bobsledding competition. He ropes in his friends, enemies, and Irv to form a team ready for the Winter Olympics.

Derice was played by Leon Robinson, who goes by the stage name Leon. At the time the film was released, Leon already had a few roles to his name, including his appearance in Madonna's "Like A Prayer" music video.

Leon recently appeared in the Prime Video hit series "Swarm."

Cool Runnings cast
Leon in 2023.Arturo Holmes / Getty Images

Leon has starred in many movies and series over the last 30 years such as "Oz" and "Waiting to Exhale."

His main critical success comes from starring in musical biopics. He played David Ruffin of The Temptations in the Emmy-winning NBC miniseries "The Temptations," Little Richard in the self-titled NBC TV movie, and J.T. Matthews in the movie "The Five Heartbeats."

After his success portraying different musical artists, Leon started his own music career, forming a reggae and soul band called "Leon & The Peoples."

Earlier this year, Leon also appeared in an episode of the serial killer Prime Video series "Swarm."

In June, Leon posted on X that he and other members of the "Cool Runnings" cast had reunited for the film's 30th anniversary.

 

 

Doug E. Doug played Sanka Coffie.

Cool Runnings cast
Doug E. Doug as Sanka in "Cool Runnings."Disney+

Sanka Coffie is a superstitious close friend of Derice who joins the bobsled team to help him.

It was a breakout role for Doug E. Doug, who had previously only appeared in a few films, including the Spike Lee movie "Mo' Better Blues.

Doug E. Doug is still acting.

Cool Runnings cast
Doug E. Doug in 2023.Michael Loccisano / Getty Images

Over the last 30 years, Doug has continued his acting and comedy career. He voiced the jellyfish Bernie in "Shark Tale" and was a main cast member on "Cosby," the CBS sitcom Bill Cosby and Phylicia Rashad starred in after "The Cosby Show."

In recent years, Doug has appeared in thrillers such as "An Act of War" and "The Wannabe."

Rawle D. Lewis played Junior Bevil.

Cool Runnings cast
Rawle D. Lewis as Junior in "Cool Runnings."Disney+

Junior Bevil is the runner who accidentally tripped up Derice and Yul during the Olympic trials. To make up for his mistake, the shy, well-educated but wealthy man ignores his parent's wishes to become an Olympian and join the Jamaican bobsled team.

Rawle D. Lewis, who plays Junior, only had two TV acting credits before starring in "Cool Runnings."

Rawle D. Lewis recently had minor roles in "Our Flag Means Death" and "Narcos: Mexico."

Cool Runnings cast
Rawle D. Lewis in short film "Give It Up."YouTube

Lewis has had minor roles in a few movies and TV shows since "Cool Runnings" was released.

He appeared in films like "Spy Hard" and series such as "Malcolm & Eddie" before taking a six-year acting hiatus in 2001.

Lewis most recently appeared in popular series such as "Life in Pieces," "Our Flag Means Death," and "Narcos: Mexico."

Malik Yoba played Yul Brenner.

Cool Runnings cast
Malik Yoba as Yul in "Cool Runnings."Disney+

The bobsled team is rounded up by Yul Brenner, an aggressive man who is also focused on winning a gold medal at the Olympics.

The role was Yoba's feature film debut.

Malik Yoba and Doug E. Doug recently reunited to walk a runway during New York Fashion Week.

Cool Runnings cast
Malik Yoba in 2023.Derek White / Getty Images

Yoba has had a thriving TV career since "Cool Runnings." He had a lead role on the Fox cop drama "New York Undercover," which aired from 1994 to 1999. He has also appeared in popular series such as "Bull," "The Twilight Zone," "That's So Raven," "Girlfriends," "The Good Wife," and "Empire."

Yoba also had a recurring role in the superhero drama series "Alphas" and in "Designated Survivor."

Most recently, Yoba had a three-episode arc in "The Equalizer" on CBS. He and Doug also walked the runway together earlier this year as part of ActivelyBlack's show for the New York Fashion Week.

Watch "Cool Runnings" on Disney Plus for that perfect hit of 90's nostalgia:

Read the original article on Insider